Chapter 3:Doll

The hot water felt good, but it couldn't wash away the fear. I scrubbed my skin until it was red.

When I finally stepped out of the shower, I looked for my old clothes. They were gone.

In their place, hanging on the door, was a dress.

It was stunning. A deep, blood-red silk dress. It had thin straps and a slit that went high up the leg. On the floor, there was a pair of black high heels.

"I am not wearing this," I whispered. It looked too expensive. It looked like something a mistress would wear.

But I had no choice. I couldn't go out naked.

I put on the dress. It fit perfectly. Too perfectly. How did he know my size? The thought made me shiver. The silk felt like cool water against my skin.

I took a deep breath and unlocked the bathroom door.

Ryker was waiting.

He was sitting in a velvet armchair, holding a glass of whiskey. When I stepped out, he stopped drinking.

The room went silent.

His dark eyes traveled slowly from my bare feet, up my legs, to my waist, and finally to my face. His gaze felt physical, like a touch. It made my skin burn.

He stood up and walked towards me. He didn't smile. He looked satisfied. Like a predator looking at a caught rabbit.

"Perfect," he said.

"Where are my clothes?" I asked, crossing my arms to cover my chest. "Why am I wearing this?"

"Because you have a job to do," Ryker said calmly.

"A... job?"

He took a step closer. "Tonight, I have a meeting with a rival family. They think I am weak because I have no one. They think I am just a cold machine."

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His fingers lingered on my earlobe.

"Tonight, you will be my weakness," he said. "You will pretend to be my lover. My obsession. You will make them look at you, so they don't see the knife in my other hand."

My eyes widened. "You want to use me as bait?"

"I want to use you as a distraction," he corrected. "If you play the part well, I won't hurt you. If you try to run... well, my men will shoot you before you reach the elevator."

He turned around and picked up a small black velvet box from the table.

"Turn around," he commanded.

I hesitated.

"Hana. Turn around." His voice dropped an octave. It wasn't a request.

I slowly turned my back to him. I swept my hair to one side, exposing my neck.

I felt his presence behind me. He was so tall, his body heat radiated onto my back.

"This is to make sure everyone knows who you belong to," he whispered.

He placed a necklace around my neck. It felt heavy and cold. I looked down. It was a diamond choker with a large ruby in the center. It was beautiful, but it felt like a dog collar.

He didn't move away. His hands rested on my shoulders, his thumbs rubbing circles into my skin. He was standing too close. His chest was pressing against my back.

"You are tense," he murmured.

He lowered his head. I felt his lips brush against the sensitive skin of my shoulder. Just a ghost of a kiss.

I gasped. "Don't."

"Relax," he said against my skin. "We have to make it look convincing, don't we?"

He spun me around to face him. He grabbed my hand and interlaced his fingers with mine. His hand was large and rough; mine looked small and fragile in his grip.

"Remember," Ryker said, his eyes locking onto mine. "Tonight, you love me. You are obsessed with me. Do not break character."

He pulled me towards the door.

"Let's go, little mouse. It's showtime."

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